First week!

I am super happy right now. Seriously. :)

I love all of my classes, I love my friends, I love institute.

I have a feeling this is going to be an amazingly wonderful semester.

Is it over yet?

Two more days...two more days, and then I'll be happily clicking the "Submit" button and sending off the final paper for my winter class.

And then it's back to work again on Tuesday. Yay? Here are the classes I'll be taking this semester:

• BIS 401--Applied Interdisciplinary Studies (aka "the internship")
• BIS 402--Senior Seminar
• ENG 356--The Bible as Literature
• REL 305--Ritual, Symbol, and Myth
• REL 394--Current Issues in Mormonism

To be honest, though, I'm really looking forward to the new semester. I'm interested in all of my classes, and I'm especially excited for ENG 356! I've been waiting to take it since my first semester at ASU, and it fits perfectly with both of my concentration areas. And then, there's institute!! :) I'll be taking Latter-day Hymns, Book of Mormon, and World Religions. I've been called to serve on the Student Council, yay, so I'll also be taking Principles of Leadership. So excited!!

Anywho, I have to get back to work...two more days, two more days (that's my mantra right now, haha). Love y'all!!

"Ring, happy bells..."

I probably say this every year, but gosh, I can't believe the year is almost over!! Only a few hours left!!

I've never really been one for New Year's resolutions, but I decided to give it a shot this year. Some are for my eyes only, ha, but here are a few of the not-so-personal things I'd like to accomplish within the next 12 months:

1. Serve others.
2. Remember my PJS. At the end of each day, I will make sure to spend some time in Prayer, Journaling, and reading my Scriptures. (Thanks to my fabulous visiting teacher, Brianna, for this one!)
3. Learn how to cook.
4. Learn how to crochet and knit.
5. Have the courage to share my testimony in church.
6. Read at least one book that isn't on a syllabus a month.

2008 was great, and I'm sure 2009 will be pretty fine, too!! Happy New Year to you all!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

Yuppers...Christmas is right around the corner. I love everything about this holiday--the lights and decorations, the music, spending time with those we love...

The lights and decorations...

Last weekend, my mom and I went with her coworker and friend, Ponda, to see the lights at the Mesa Temple, and we also walked through the Visitor's Center. We had the best time!! The twinkling lights turned the grounds into a fabulous display of colors. After listening to a flute quartet perform a short concert, Ponda asked if we wanted to see the front of the Temple. As we walked around it, my mom kept saying how "beautiful" it was, over and over again. What a perfect night!

The music...

I lovelovelove Christmas music!! If I could listen to it 24/7, I would. One of my very favorite Christmas songs is called "The Gift" sung by Aselin Debison. It is soo sweet, and it always makes me cry!

A poor orphan girl named Maria
Was walking to market one day.
She stopped for to rest by the road side
Where a bird with a broken wing lay.
A few moments passed till she saw it,
For its feathers were covered with sand,
And soon clean and wrapped it was traveling
In the warmth of Maria's small hand.
She happily gave her last peso
On a cage made of rushes and twine.
She fed it loose corn from the market
And watched it grow stronger with time.
Now the gift giving service was coming
And the church shone with tinsel and light,
An' all of the town folk brought presents
To lay by the manger that night.
There were diamonds, and incense, and perfumes,
And packages fit for a king,
But for one ragged bird in a small cage,
Maria had nothing to bring.
She waited till just before midnight
So no one would see her go in,
And crying she knelt by the manger
For her gift was unworthy of Him.
Then a Voice spoke to her through the darkness,
"Maria, what brings you to me?
If the bird in the cage is your offering,
Open the door, let me see."
So she trembled, she did as He asked her,
And out of the cage the bird flew.
Soaring up into the rafters
On a wing that had healed good as new.
And just then the midnight bells rang out,
And the little bird started to sing
A song that no words could recapture
For its beauty was fit for a King.
Now Maria felt blessed just to listen
To that cascade o' notes sweet and long
As her offering was lifted to heaven
By the very first nightingale's song.

Spending time with those we love...

I love my family and friends!!!!

I love this special time that we have to reflect on the birth of our Savior. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and may 2009 be filled with much happiness and many blessings!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I am grateful...

I am grateful for the rainy, cozy, time-for-hot-chocolate-with-marshmallows weather that has come our way, just in time for this special day of giving thanks.

I am grateful for my new jeans. I hate shopping for new jeans with a passion, because I never seem to find a pair that isn't too tight, isn't too baggy, isn't too short, or isn't going to trip me up because they're too long. However, in this case, the first pair I grabbed fit perfectly...not too tight, not too baggy, not too short, and I'm able to walk with confidence. And the best part? They were 50% off!! Woohoo!!!

I am grateful for my kitties and their quiet friendship and love. Abby, Sam, Mushu, and Emma really are part of the family.

I am grateful for the opportunity I have to get an education at ASU.

I am grateful for missionary work.

I am grateful for my good health.

I am grateful for my wonderful friends. They light up my life with their kindness, love, quirkiness, and sweet spirits.

I am grateful for my family. They have filled my days with laughter and smiles and lots of the good ol' TLC. They have offered me advice and guidance when I have asked for it (and even when I haven't), and I know that I am who I am in large part because of who they are.

I am grateful for the gospel and the happiness it brings.

I am grateful for the love of my Heavenly Father and my Savior.

I am so blessed...and I am grateful.

November 15

Last Saturday was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. What made it especially beautiful for me, though, was that it was the day I was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The ceremony was so special, with the wonderful talks and lovely music, and the Spirit was so strong. My institute teacher, Brother Wood, performed the baptism. The actual ordinance was quick, but in the Book of Mormon it says "that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" (Alma 37:6). When I came up out of the water, I felt sooo happy, and I knew I had done the right thing. Having my family there to support me made it all the more special to me. I know how lucky I am to have my family's support, and I am so very grateful for their love and understanding.

Later that day, when things had calmed down a bit, I was able to think on my own a bit about what had just happened. I started thinking of some things I had done in the past that I'm not too proud of. I felt this empty feeling, but it wasn't the bad, depressing, something's-missing-in-my-life kind of empty feeling. It was more peaceful than that, and I knew, I was absolutely 100% sure, that I had been forgiven of my sins. The Atonement is incredible!!


The next day, I was confirmed in sacrament meeting. It was amazing, and I got to take the sacrament for the first time! This day was very special to my family for another reason, as well, as it would have been my grandma's (my mom's mom) birthday. Even though I never had the chance to meet her, I knew she and my sweet grandpa were there in spirit.

I am very excited to be starting out on this path. I feel closer to my Heavenly Father than I've ever felt before. I'm so grateful for those who have supported and encouraged me over the last few months, particularly Brother Wood, Madison, Lyndee, Jesse, Heather, Brother Calton, Blake, and Abby. I love you all. :)

Dancing Queen

I saw this on Madison's blog and thought it might be fun, so here we go!!

RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, MP3 Player, or whatever on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song, no matter how silly it sounds!
4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.

If someone says, “Is this okay?” you say?
Keep The Commandments - Paul Cardall

How would you describe yourself?
Sunshine and Summertime - Faith Hill
[I've been told I have a sunny disposition.]

What do you like in a guy/girl?
Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

How do you feel today?
How Shall I Live - YW Selected Songs

What is your life’s purpose?
Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield

What is your motto?
Jesus Said Love Everyone - Paul Cardall

What do your friends think of you?
Chiquitita - ABBA

What do you think of your family?
Raise Your Voices to the Lord - Hymns

What do you think about very often?
Jesus, Once of Humble Birth - Hymns

What is 2 + 2?
Time To Say Goodbye - Sarah Brightman
[Yeah, math is not too high up on my happy list...]

What do you think of your best friend?
Faithful - Paul Cardall

What do you think of the person you like?
I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair - South Pacific Soundtrack
[Hmm, I don't think this fits...]

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Prima Donna - Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
Speeding Cars - Imogen Heap

What will you dance to at your wedding?
The Loco-Motion - Little Eva

What will they play at your funeral?
If My Heart Had Wings - Faith Hill

What is your hobby/interest?
Strength Beyond My Own - Seminary Music
[This song is sooo beautiful. It's about the temple, I can't wait to go!]

What is your biggest fear?
Everything - Michael Buble
[HAHA]

What is your biggest secret?
How To Save a Life - The Fray

What do you think of your friends?
How Gentle God's Commands - Hymns

What will you post this as?
Dancing Queen - ABBA